Google Assistant

When Android Q’s fully gestural navigation system first debuted, one of the things we didn’t know was how Google intended to have us launch Assistant. That later became clear, and now in Android Q Beta 5, Google is making it more obvious how to launch Assistant with a couple of gesture “handles.”

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In addition to a slew of user-facing Assistant features at I/O 2019, another way Google is improving the experience of using Google Home and Nest Displays is through the Local Home SDK. This new local technology will deliver faster commands to your smart home accessories.

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One of the most exciting reveals of Google I/O was the “next generation Assistant” which answered queries instantly and back-to-back. Now, it appears Google is getting ready to lay the groundwork for that Assistant with a new compact interface which is being tested with some users.

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Truly wireless earbuds have exploded in popularity over the past couple of years, but one feature they often lack is active noise cancellation. Today, Sony has debuted its new truly wireless WF-1000XM3 earbuds with active noise cancellation and Google Assistant built in.

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Did you know that you can add your favorite podcasts to your Google Home routines? Amazing, isn’t it? What is more amazing is that you might not have known this little tidbit.

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As confirmed last week, Google Assistant is finally coming to Sonos speakers after being delayed last year. A software update rolling out today will allow users to say “Hey Google” to issue commands, ask questions, and control their Assistant smart home on the Sonos One and Sonos Beam.

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Last October, we discovered that Google intended for the new Google Assistant experience on Chrome OS to arrive on “all Chromebooks.” Eight months later, we’re finally seeing the fruit of this, as Google is enabling Assistant for all devices starting with Chrome OS 77.

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Since its availability in August 2017 in France, Google Assistant has had two hotwords: The well-known “Okay Google”, and “Dis Google” (meaning “Say Google”). Google has now announced support of the “Hey Google” hotword support in France for the beginning of July.

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Google Assistant is super powerful, and it’s only going to get better with some of Google’s latest work. However, the move from Google Now saw a bunch of useful features ditched entirely. Now, Google Assistant is reviving a handy feature that remembers where you parked.

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In addition to a new Driving Mode that replaces Android Auto on phones, Google at I/O 2019 announced that Assistant is coming to Waze. Google Assistant in Waze for Android is now beginning to roll out in the U.S.

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The latest Google app beta is rolling out this evening with one notable change for your profile image. Besides the Google One subscription indicator, Google app 10.4 reveals work on Assistant suggestions possibly appearing on the Android lockscreen.

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Google Assistant is available on devices of all shapes and sizes, with plenty of different places you can use it. As far as smaller devices go, though, there are two main options with the Google Nest Hub and Lenovo Smart Clock. Which one is right for you? Let’s take a look.

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Google Assistant is slowly making its way into every part of our lives, and I for one am not complaining. Since launch, I’ve had a Google Home or a Nest Hub somewhere in my bedroom for controlling my lights and alarms. Now, those are being replaced by the Lenovo Smart Clock, and I think it’s the only Google Assistant device you should have in your bedroom. Here’s why.

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Google Assistant is designed to make our lives easier, which is why it’s frustrating when it doesn’t work properly. Over the past several months, some users have been reporting an issue with Google Assistant where it mutes itself over Bluetooth, which is especially frustrating for Android Auto users.

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It’s a really good idea to have a security camera running in your home nowadays, but the cost can easily turn users off. Wyze has been a popular choice for super-affordable cameras for quite some time, and today it’s officially adding support for Google Assistant.

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The non-voice aspects of using Google Assistant on a phone date back to Now on Tap with that functionality still available through “What’s on my screen.” However, that screen search capability appears to be broken for many users this month.

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